Commandos, para military guard hockey World Cup

Some 200 gun-toting commandos and 1000-odd personnel of central para military forces will be deployed in the national capital for ensuring a smooth conduct of H

Written by Press Trust of India

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New Delhi:

Some 200 gun-toting commandos and 1000-odd personnel of central para military forces will be deployed in the national capital for ensuring a smooth conduct of Hockey World Cup, being held in India after 18 years.

Home Ministry sources said 200 commandos especially skilled in sharp shooting will man high rise buildings around the venue -- National Stadium -- near the famous India Gate.

The sources said as many as 10 companies of central para military forces (1,000 personnel) will be deployed in the city during the tournament beginning February 28 and continuing till March 13. The tournament will see participation by 10 countries and around 400 players and delegates.

The last Hockey World Cup was held in India in 1982 at Mumbai where Pakistan lifted the cup. India so far has been a runners up in 1973 and secured third position in the first world cup played at Barcelona.

The decision to review the already elaborate security arrangements for the World Cup Hockey was taken in the wake of the blast in German Bakery, a famous eatery in Pune's posh Koregaon Park, which killed nine people including two foreigners.